Protect data from ransomware
Protect data from ransomware attacks to your systems. You have probably heard of computer malware, however have you heard of ransomware? It’s what criminals use to target the data in your business. Your system and data are crucial to your business. Don’t gamble with your security. Make sure your business is protected from the outside world.
Ransomware is a form of malicious software placed on your devices. It locks you out of your data and it is terrifying. The criminals will then demand cash to unlock your data. Every business should protect data from ransomware, as it is at risk all the time. Hackers use automated tools to sniff out opportunities.
Our new video has three ways you can protect your business from ransomware.
Hackers can force victims to pay a ransom to regain access. It can infect your computer when you download an innocent-looking email attachment. If you visit a website that secretly executes malicious code. This ultimately encrypts critical files or denies access to the computer. The two main forms of this malware are currently widespread:
- Blocker ransomware locks users out of basic computer functions. For example, it might deny access to your desktop by partially disabling files the computer uses to boot. You could still use your computer to pay the ransom, but otherwise it would be useless. The good news? Locker malware typically avoids encrypting critical files in favour of simply locking you out, meaning there’s less chance of total data destruction.
- Crypto ransomware encrypts your critical data — documents, photos, and videos — while leaving more basic computer functions untouched. Crypto creators often include a countdown in their ransom demand. Many users ignore or don’t understand the importance of backing up files to an external storage device, so they often choose to pay the ransom because they can’t see any other way of getting their files back.
How to respond to ransomware attacks
Unfortunately, ransom malware is here to stay. What if you have already become the victim of a ransomware attack? If you’re concerned about ransomware, need to update your security, or need any assistance properly backing up your data, get in touch. Contact The LIS Help Desk today to talk to one of our team to make sure your business is protected.
#ransomware #beware #FreeInfoVideo
Microsoft Teams advice guide
Unless you have been living on another planet, you have noticed that things have been a little… strange, lately. Covid has changed the way we do pretty much everything. Our Microsoft Teams advice guide will improve how you work. It looks as though it will be some time before things go back to the way they were. If at all.
On the up side, you may have discovered that your business can be more flexible with the way your people work, than you’d imagined. With many people working from home to some extent, remote working has become a viable, permanent option for many organisations. If your people are getting on well with it, what’s not to like?
People can work in a way they’re comfortable with. You could make a big financial saving on office space and travel. As well as giving your people the gift of time, because they no longer have to commute. However, the important thing to always keep in mind is how you’re going to continue to collaborate as a team.
Improve how you work with our Microsoft Teams advice guide
We are going to look at it, step by step, click here to download our latest Microsoft Teams advice guide.
- How will meetings look if remote working becomes a permanent fixture?
- What is the best way to keep team motivated and morale up? If your once “all in one place” team don’t see each other from one week to the next?
- How will documents be shared, added to and refined?
It’s likely that you’ve already looked at some of these potential issues during lockdown. Have you found the best solution for your people? If not, it’s time you looked really closely at Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Teams has it all when it comes to uniting your business and helping you to get the job done. Make use of our Microsoft Teams advice step by step PDF guide.
Microsoft Teams, also referred to as simply Teams, is a unified communication and collaboration platform that combines persistent workplace chat, video meetings, file storage, and application integration.
What is Microsoft Teams?
Teams is Microsoft’s take on chat-based communication for business; Teams is also Microsoft’s answer to competing platforms such as Slack. Slack stock continues to lose value, despite a good revenue flow–analysts cite Microsoft Teams as part of that decrease. In July 2019, Microsoft Teams slid by Slack with 13 million daily users; as of April 2020, Microsoft Teams has 75 million daily active users.
Summary
- What is Microsoft Teams? A chat and collaboration platform for Microsoft 365 customers designed to simplify group work.
- How do I use Microsoft Teams? As well as the chat-based communications, Teams’ integration with other Microsoft services allows users access to shared files and calendars, collaborative editing, and easy switching between voice, video, and text chat.
- Who does Microsoft Teams affect? The service is available to most subscribers to the cloud-based Microsoft 365 suite.
- When and where is Microsoft Teams available? Microsoft Teams is available to Microsoft 365 customers and supports 93 languages and dialects.
- How do I get Microsoft Teams? Microsoft Teams is enabled by default for most organizations using Microsoft 365.
Still need help?
There’s a massive help section if you’re ever unsure, and even a training tab full of how-to videos and guides to get you up to speed. Find it in the left corner of Teams.
Really, the new generation of working from home should be full of positives for your business. With the right tools, there should be little disruption to your business and projects. And communicating can become more precise and fruitful.
Give Teams a go and see how it could work for your business. As ever, we’re always on hand should you need any help. Just contact The LIS Help Desk for advice or guidance on this, or any other aspect of your business’s IT and data security.
Our friendly and knowledgeable team have a wealth of experience. Let us be part of your team! Don’t forget to download our FREE Microsoft Teams advice guide.
#MicrosoftTeams #FreeGuide #WorkBetterTogether
Easy access with Gmail
Do you use Gmail? Now it’s simpler to customise it and change your settings, with the new quick access settings panel. Easy access with Gmail makes it easier for the end user to customise their personal email account.
Click here to read the latest news.
What’s changing
Gmail are adding a quick settings menu that helps you easily find and use different layouts, settings and themes that feel right for you. When you click on Settings, you’ll now see different interfaces, inbox types, and display options alongside your real inbox. When an option is selected, the inbox will immediately update so you can compare choices and see how settings work in real time. The full settings menu is still available by clicking the “See all settings” button at the top of the new quick settings menu.
The customization matters for the user as it gives you an option to personalize the Gmail interface. You get to set it up to the most optimal look where you can easily find and read your email.
Why it matters
Gmail has many options to customize layout, look and feel, and other details to make sure the interface is personalized and optimized for how you like to work. These include:
- Customizing the density of text and information displayed
- Choosing a different inbox type to help intelligently prioritize and organize emails
- Adding reading panes to quickly see email contents
- Applying themes to personalize the look and feel of your inbox
They are making these options easier to find and letting you explore them in real time. So, your actual inbox will update immediately to show you exactly what the setting will do. They hope this makes it easier to set up Gmail the way that works best for you.
Additional details
Note that this update just adds an easier way to access settings that already exist in the full Gmail settings menu. There are no new settings, and users’ existing settings won’t be changed with this update. You can still see the full settings menu by clicking the “See all settings” button at the top of the new quick settings menu.
So how can we help your business?
Are you a sole trader or SME that are using Gmail or another email provider? Would you like a more professional email address? One major benefit of using a custom domain name for your website is the fact that you can easily get a professional email address using your domain name.
We have hundreds of domain names for sale. Are always happy to assist you finding the right one for your business.
Contact the LIS Help Desk for your professional domain name today. We are only one click away from helping you with your business.
#gmail #QuickAccess #EasyPeasy
Clean your smartphone safely
How to clean your smartphone safely? Does your new cleaning routine include your phone? Samsung has issued a warning to be careful how you clean yours, to avoid causing permanent damage. Take a look a at a recent article in the Daily Express https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/1281468/Samsung-galaxy-phone-clean-warning-damage-risk
For many of us, our mobile phones are stuck to our hands throughout the day on our commute, at work and at home. But if we’re cleaning our hands more often, shouldn’t we be doing the same with our handhelds?
While you may want to clean your smartphone, some substances can damage the device. Dr Lena Ciric, a microbiologist from University College London, says you can effectively clean your phone using just household soap and water.
Five ways to safely clean your mobile phone
While keeping your hands clean is relatively straightforward, a mobile phone is a different matter. We walk you through your options to clean your smartphone safely
There are a few ways to ensure that you clean your smartphone safely while avoiding any unnecessary damage to the device. Before cleaning, always start by turning your phone off, and ensure you leave it to dry once before turning it back on. It’s also advised that you clean your phone daily.
1. The safest option is wipes
As advised by brands such as Apple and Google, using a 70% alcohol wipe is the best option for cleaning your phone. These wipes can be used on all the exterior surfaces of the phone such as the display and rear casing, avoiding any openings on the phone (headphone ports, speakers, etc).
2. Use mild soap and water as an alternative
This method might not be as good for germ-busting as alcohol wipes, but if all else fails, with some soap on hand you can get rid of some of the grubby bacteria that’s hiding in plain sight on your phone.
Start by making a mixture of dish soap and water. All advice points to avoiding dunking your phone in soapy water at any cost because this can seriously damage its internals. Instead, dip a microfibre (and preferably lint-free) cloth into the solution. These cloths are much less abrasive than towels or tissues and are less likely to damage the protective, scratch-resistant layer on your phone’s display.
Ensure that the cloth isn’t dripping wet either. It should only be damp so that no excess water gets into the phone, especially if it’s not waterproof.
3. If all else fails, give it a light rinse – but only if it’s waterproof
This tip is strictly for those whose phones are certified waterproof. And not just any IP waterproof certification either – IP67 and up.
IP (Ingress Protection) ratings certify your phone against dust ingress and contact with water at varying levels, depending on their rating number. If your phone is IP67 certified your phone can withstand immersion in up to 1 metre of water for up to 30 minutes, while IP68 certified phones are fine in up to 1.5 metre of water, although this can vary by manufacturer so it’s always best to check.
If you don’t have any wipes or dish soap to hand, you can rinse your phone in fresh water to clean it. Again, we would caution against dunking it into water with any added cleaning products as this could seriously harm the internal components and get into the openings of the phone. Beware if you have any cracks on your phone as well, as water can inadvertently seep into the phone more than you hope for it to.
Be sure to leave your phone to dry for at least five minutes if you use this method.
4. Don’t use household cleaning products like bleach
You might be tempted to mix up your own concoction using some trusty cleaning supplies. Manufacturers have warned against doing this as the harsh chemicals in these cleaners can wear down the protective layer of your display.
5. Don’t forget to clean the case
Cleaning advice doesn’t just go for those that are getting hands-on contact with their smartphone. If you’re using a phone case to cover your precious handset, you should be just as diligent with cleaning it. Particularly if your phone case doubles as a purse to store your cards and money.
On the whole, the same tips apply to your case as your phone. Sometimes, you may have a bit more freedom. Ensure that you always remove the phone from your case before cleaning it.
Cleaning advice varies depending on the material of case you have. We’ve given some tips below so that whether you’re clutching a leather, wood or silicone-coated smartphone, you’re keeping it germ-free:
Leather: Use a damp cloth with a mild hand soap and water solution. You can also use a mild cleaner with the cloth to get stubborn stains out.
Plastic, rubber and silicone: Soak the case in a solution of dish soap and warm water for a few minutes. If you have any stubborn stains, you can gently scrub a toothbrush on them to try and get them out. Dry the case with a microfibre cloth.
Wood: Contact with water can deteriorate the wood. So use a dry microfibre cloth regularly to wipe these cases down.
How can we help your business?
We are not cleaning experts and cannot guarantee to help you with your clutter and hygiene. However, we offer every telecoms service to keep your business connected. Contact The LIS Help Desk today to speak to one of our friendly and experienced team to discuss your requirements.
#SamsungPhones #CleaningWarning #AvoidPhoneDamage
Robots that anticipate what you need
Think robots are a thing of the future? Think again. Ocado Technology has created robots that anticipate what you need. Thomas Roszak was working as a maintenance technician at Ocado. Based in their giant warehouse in Hatfield when he received a very unusual assignment.
His regular job involved repairing and maintaining the online supermarket’s automated sorting and packing system. The system puts together grocery orders from customers. It can be physically demanding work, manipulating heavy panels and working with other pieces of bulky machinery.
Research and Development
In a project designed to ease that burden, Ocado Technology, had been developing robots. They anticipate what you need. Can recognise when a technician might need help. As well as stepping in with either the right tool or help with lifting.
Mr Roszak was asked to help test the machine. He saw it for the first time and was taken back to his childhood. He said “I grew up on movies like The Terminator. So, when I saw that robot, I was actually impressed with what it looked like. You can actually imagine it looks like a man.”
For Mr Roszak, the robot’s strength was a real asset. One test job involved removing a heavy metal plate from above head height. A human would struggle to hold the plate for more than two or three minutes. However, the robot found it “easy” to hold the plate in place, while Mr Roszak undid the bolts.
Read the full article from the BBC news team at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52547331
Experimenting with robots for grocery picking and packing
Ocado Technology often hits the news under headlines of innovation in the field of AI and robotics. Over the past couple of years, we’ve announced our involvement in several high-profile research projects. Including the SoMa soft manipulation system and the SecondHands technician robot. This is because our robotics research team faces a remarkable challenge. To develop smart and generalised robotic solutions. Systems capable of picking the 50,000 different items available on Ocado.com safely and reliably.
While humans can quickly learn and develop all manner of strategies for grasping various items based on what they intend to do with them, robots need to be taught these strategies and that’s why AI plays such an important role too.
Since this ever-growing range of products has different form factors and physical properties, the SoMa and SecondHands projects will help us develop a new suite of robotic grippers and grasping strategies in partnership with Europe’s leading technical universities. While making significant progress on those projects, we are also developing more immediate in-house solutions using off the shelf components that can pick a significant proportion of our products.
Today we’d like to introduce one of these new and exciting breakthroughs in robotic picking developed by Ocado Technology. The system has been designed by our robotics research team. To pick a range of groceries from our highly automated warehouses called Customer Fulfilment Centres.
How can we help?
We can’t build robots that anticipate what you need. However, LIS can help your business. with your IT requirements. Do you have a new idea that is in the research and development stage? If so, this would be an ideal opportunity to contact the LIS Help Desk. The business world is changing, and we are all relying on the latest technology. Make sure you stay ahead of the competition. Our friendly an experienced team are more than happy to help.
#RobotColleague #ThisIsCool #ThinkingRobot